External Changes

[Michael Gallagher]

This document details how QE2 changed externally over the years.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, flagship, for another superb list -- the exterior changes of QE2, all the way right up to date.

I had a look at those years when I knew her, but could not picture this :

The stairs leading up to the Bridge Wings (port and starboard) were removed during the 2006 refit.

Where were these stairs before the 2006 refit? I just cannot remember them...

[riskygizmo]

Thanks for that Mr Flagship.

It does raise an interesting question. I knew The Ship after the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth suites went on, but before the Falklands fitting out. She wasn't as she had left the Clyde, but most of what was there, inside and out, was original. I do wonder if I were to visit her now, would I know her? I have a horrible feeling it would be like bumping into your first love when you're both middle aged. 

[Lynda Bradford]

This is a wonderful record of the external changes to the ship over the years. I was surprised that the Lookout Bar had only survived until 1972.  In Rob's video when he was in Dubai last year we could see where the windows had been covered up for the kitchen refit 

It would be good if we had photos that documented these changes to the ship over the years. 

[Michael Gallagher]

Lynda - I have a complete photo record of all these changes but not the time to scan. You and Tom will have to come and stay one time!

[Twynkle]

This is a superb list - thanks so much Mr Flagship!
It's useful to see what has been changed since  late 2008.
It would be interesting to know too about the 'furniture out on the decks -
Please can I ask, when you have time, might it be possible to know the history of deck chairs, steamer chairs and the lovely teak tables?
Also - I remember seeing two Cunard teak benches - port and stbd midships, I think - were there ever any more?
Were there always sun-beds / loungers' on the open decks at her stern?
And parasols - they were there inside the open 'bit' of the magradome (I think?) - do you know whether they used otherwise?

Again lots of thanks and best wishes for the New Year.
Rosie

[andyh]

What a fantastic record of the changes to the ship, I would be great to see the photo's to go with the details as well

[QE2forever]

Very interesting, thank you Flagship!

[StuM]

I truly loved the Lookout Bar, as originally built. Patterned after the Observation Lounges on QE and QM. It was a great space and had great views forward. Two fwd facing weather deck doors were always kept tightly closed and I never remember them being opened during normal passenger service times. A large backlit chart reader was dead mid ships in the room, at the fwd end. I recal it being of a red plastic, looking very modern and futuristic, but not very useful or easy to read. The chart, if and when overlaid, was a static transparency and very hard to decypher.
While I never liked what the penthouses additions did to her profile, the original recessed Sports a deck was a bit useless and I'll-conceived. It would have been a better space if larger and included a small pool. That same general area did also include the original Observation Deck, up around the mast; a great place to witness port transits.

Maiden voyage welcomer - NYC, and maiden season round trip passenger, trans-Atlantic and Carib.
Lover of The Lady,
Stu